The Atlanta Falcons defeat the Chicago Bears thanks to a field goal shortly before the end and stay on top in their division. Running back Cordarelle Patterson sets a new NFL record in the game.

Munich/Atlanta – The Atlanta Falcons win a thriller against the Chicago Bears 27-24 and close in on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South.

Marcus Mariota led his Falcons effortlessly down the field on the opening drive and found wide receiver Drake London for the first touchdown of the game. The quarterback ended up with 131 yards and one touchdown through the air and one on the ground.

In turn, the Bears also used the momentum of the first offensive drive. After a strong kickoff return by Velus Jones Jr, Justin Fields was allowed to start at the halfway line. A completely open Darnell Mooney got the first score for the Bears with a diving catch.

After that, it was mostly the special teams that were in the spotlight. Returner Cordarelle Patterson dropped the kickoff and the Bears collected their second fumble of the game.

Fields took matters into his own hands, running into the end zone from five yards out just before the end zone to make it 17-7. The 23-year-old threw for a total of 153 yards and a touchdown through the air, but also collected 85 yards and a score on the ground once again.

Cordarelle Patterson with NFL record

The joy of the lead lasted only a short time. Patterson immediately forgot his mistake and ran the kickoff back 103 yards for a touchdown. With this run, the 31-year-old running back also set a new record.

The Bears missed a short field goal just before the break to extend their lead – instead, Atlanta flew down the field in just 70 seconds and kicker Younghoe Koo equalised the score at 17:17 at half-time.

In the third quarter, the Falcons’ defence made life difficult for Fields and Co. The quarterback went down four times and the drives ended in punts. Mariota also had to leave the field quickly, but before the end of the quarter he covered 61 yards in six plays and then, in the best Fields manner, scored a touchdown with his own power run to regain the Falcons’ lead.

In turn, the Bears put together a 13-play drive that David Montgomery ran into the end zone.
But the Falcons had the last word. Koo made it 27-24 from 53 yards out with just over a minute to go, and with the pressure on and the clock running out, Fields threw the decisive interception into the arms of Jaylinn Hawkins.

The Falcons improve their record to 5-6 with the win, while Chicago slips to 3-8 and remains bottom of the NFC North. In Week 12, the Falcons head to Washington,